DONALDA BLANCHE MORTON

DONALDA BLANCHE MORTON October 30, 1921 - June 1, 2017 Peacefully, in her 96th year, with her daughter by her side, at Calvary Place Personal Care Home on June 1, 2017. Donalda was born on October 30, 1921 in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, the only child of Donald and Mary McDonald. She came to live in Winnipeg with her parents in 1924. On graduation from Gordon Bell High School, she was Valedictorian and received the French Gold Medal and an Isbister University Entrance Scholarship. During her years at United College (University of Manitoba) she was the recipient of many academic honours and scholarships, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and Mathematics. From 1941 to 1946, she worked for the Great West Life Assurance Company. Following the end of the war, she married Harold Morton. After some 20 years at home, full time with her two children, she joined Public Works Canada, Manitoba District Office in 1963 until her retirement in 1979. Donalda was a life-time member of the University Women's Club of Winnipeg. She was a strong proponent for women's rights, and was very active as a conference organizer and speaker for the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women. She held positions and National Committee Chairs for the Public Service Alliance of Canada. From 1980 to 1990, she and Harold spent many happy years caring for their six grandchildren. This provided the parents the opportunity to continue their careers, knowing the children were in caring and loving hands. The grandchildren have many loving memories of these times with Nana and Bah. Donalda and Harold also took many memorable car trips with Donalda's parents. Donalda was an avid supporter of the Symphony, Ballet, Opera and Theatre Centre, and enjoyed numerous trips to the Stratford Festival in Ontario. She was a person of many interests, but her family - all four generations - as well as a group of devoted friends always came first. When she and Harold moved to the Wellington they made many friendships, however health problems curtailed her activities beginning in 2008. Predeceased in 2015 by Harold, her husband of nearly 69 years, Donalda is survived by son William McDonald (Mac) Morton (Jean), grandchildren Ryan (Tina Antonation), Jennifer (Andrea Pastori), Laura (Pete Harper) and Sandra Morton, and great-grandchildren Oscar and Leo Pastori; and daughter, Alexandra (Roger) King and grandchildren Matthew (Nicole) and Adam King. A private family celebration of Donalda's life will take place at a later date.

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 19, 2017

Condolences & Memories (1 entries)

Harold-and-Donalda-Morton. For my mother, Frances, (who introduced me to the Mortons when they, and mom, were at The Wellington) it was all one word.
Harold might be mentioned in his own right for something like running the bingo, and Donalda might be spoken of in the singular if mom was telling me of something she said, but most all the time it was one word, Harold-and-Donalda-Morton and as I came to know them I understood why. Never have I met a couple more a couple, more in love, more in tune with each other than those two! It was rare to see one without the other close by, and in conversation with them they were so in sync it was like the two were really one.
And so, this salute to Donalda just has to be a salute to both of them, together again. My mother thought highly of them and again, getting to know them I can understand why. Kind, principled, helpful, and always a warm smile of greeting. It was also obvious both were sharp as a whip and had great senses of humour.
I'm glad I had the chance to meet them and know them some. Truly, Donalda was a wonderful lady in the grand old tradition.
- Posted by: Sheldon Bowles () on: Jun 20, 2017